Everything You Need to Know About Grooming Your Beard

Paul Cochrane03 February 2017

Congratulations on making the right choice about your facial hair. Growing a beard isn’t for everybody, but with the rise of the “hipster” look in the past year or so, having a beard is very definitely “in.” That said, if you’re a first-time beard wearer, acquiring the skills to achieve the sort of look made famous by the likes of David Beckham, Ryan Gosling, and Idris Elba won’t happen overnight. Whether it’s choosing the right beard style for your face, getting the right products – you’ll need them – or just some basic tips for beard care though, we’ve got you covered:

How to Trim Your Beard

Achieve successful beard trimming by following these 5 easy tips:

Wash and condition This step makes everything else easier. Especially if you’re attempting to go from wild man of the woods to suave and sophisticated socialite in a single sitting.

Brush that bad boy Use a comb or brush to brush against the grain of your beard (the way it grows). This’ll make it all stand on end, so it’ll be easier to judge an even final trim.

Trim with your clippers To avoid potentially horrifying beard errors, always start with a plastic guard length on your clippers that’s a bit longer than the beard length you really want. Then you can work down to the actual length you’re after.

Trim the ‘tash Your moustache will need a slightly shorter guard on your clippers than the rest of your beard. If you’re still limited in your ability to trim by your nose being in the way, use a standard pair of scissors to trim your ‘tash by hand. Or you can use a pair of special moustache scissors if you’re feeling less brave.

Goodbye neckbeard There was probably a time when neckbeards were in fashion. This isn’t it. Trimming away your neckbeard will also remove the itchiest part of your beard growth (potentially the only downside of having your own mighty mane). Pick a spot around an inch above your Adam’s apple. Then picture a curving shape linking that point under your chin to behind each of your ears. That’s your ideal line for the bottom of your beard. Anything less and you risk you double-chinning. Anything further down, and not only will it look scrappy, it’ll itch like Blackbeard’s original masterpiece.

Once you’ve picked out this U-shape, all the hair below it should be shaved away. Above the “U”, some guys prefer to fade up into the beard. To do this, simply halve your clipper guard length and trim around the bottom of the beard line perhaps an inch up into your face bear. For even finer fading, repeat the process in the first half of this inch-deep line from skin to full beard. Set your clippers to half the length again. This will produce a skin to quarter beard to half beard to full beard graduation. If you don’t fancy that, it’s perfectly legitimate to go skin to full beard with no graduation. And it’s much easier.

The final step – Oil that beauty

Don’t be one of those guys that goes half-way with his facial hair. Get winning whiskers by oiling your beard and styling it after you’ve finished trimming. This will also highlight any stray hairs that you missed the first time around. As well as making you look and smell like an absolute bad-ass.

The Proper Beard Style For Your Face Shape

Matching your beard to your face shape is a critical part of strolling confidently into beard-dom. To begin with, you’ll want to let your beard grow out for at least a month. Resist the urge to trim heavily in this time. Some hairs take longer to come through than others. Think about it like you’re an artist – this is the time you need to prepare your canvas. Then, when it becomes time to trim, consult this handy guide to maximise your beard potential:

I have a square face

Good news! You are the movie star ideal. Probably. In any case, you’ll want your beard to be shorter on the sides and a little more full at the chin.

I have a round face

Similar to your square faced compadres, as a roundie you’ll also need to have your beard trimmed a little tighter at the sides with more length at the chin.

I have an oblong face

The opposite to those vile square and round face types, you’ll want a little more length in the sides while keeping things reined in beneath your chin.

I have an oval face

You’re pretty much onto a winner as far as beard styles go. Your face can become home to almost any style with an equal chance of being successful.

I have no face!

Consult your doctor immediately.

The Beard Care Products You’ll Need

Finally, all of this beard care and trimming is going to take some tools. Some big, strong, manly tools. And some shampoo. And a few other bits too…

Beard shampoo – we warned you this was coming up. It might not be growing out of the top of your head, but your facial hair still needs some shampooing. Don’t fall into the trap of having scratchy, unlovable whiskers.

Beard oil – this is another unmissable beard care product. Don’t skimp on getting some cool-smelling beard oil. Your face will feel a whole lot less itchy, and your facial hair will stay in place a little better too.

Latest Review

I just have to post about the most fantastic experience my 15 yr old son has just had. Having been formally diagnosed with AA last Weds by a very brusque dermatologist. My son went from having thin hair to huge bald patches within days. We were all so distressed and didn’t know which way to turn. I contacted Paul Cochrane of Frankie Cochrane in Holborn concerning a non surgical hair replacement system. Read More

Testimonials

I lost most of my hair when I was about 19 due to alopecia and stress. I had huge bald patches within two days. Goes without saying I was devastated. For 20 years I had been bald and shaving down to zero, but always dreamed of having hair again. I came across Cochrane & Co online while researching hair replacement systems. Their website was full of information, and it really came across with how passionate they are about this. I travelled down from East Yorkshire to London for my first fitting, and it was an incredible experience to see other men having a hair replacement system fitted at the same time as me. I received nothing but a first class and professional service. Grant and Paul really put me at ease throughout the process. It's the best decision I have made for myself, I have a new found confidence, a new passion and it's knocked years off my looks. Friends and family cannot believe it's not my own hair and it's been nothing but positive. I even asked three hairdressers what they thought of my hair, all said it looks great, I then told them it was a hair replacement system and they were utterly shocked! For any men or women out there sitting on the fence take my advice and just go for it, we only live once, and Cochrane & Co are the absolute best in the business!

I just have to post about the most fantastic experience my 15 yr old son has just had. Having been formally diagnosed with AA last Weds by a very brusque dermatologist. My son went from having thin hair to huge bald patches within days. We were all so distressed and didn’t know which way to turn. I contacted Paul Cochrane of Frankie Cochrane in Holborn concerning a non surgical hair replacement system. We were given an appointment for a consultation the following day. Paul is so kind and caring and fully explained what he could do for him. We booked an appointment for the following evening (today). Ros, the technician, was beyond fabulous. We were with her for three and a half hours and she has given my son his “life” back. I cannot praise them enough. The only problem my son had was choosing the hairstyle that he wanted and it was hard to rein him back as it’s been many years since he had thick hair. The support system that they offer is above and beyond and has given us the reassurance that we so needed

The hair replacement system form Cochrane & Co really helped me cope with my hair loss. The system is comfortable, easy to maintain and makes me feel like I have my real hair back, which is in itself a great confidence booster. I highly recommend them if you’re suffering from hair loss.

Changed my life!!! I cannot express enough just how grateful I am that I decided to receive a non-surgical hair replacement. I had no idea just how much this would impact my life in a positive way and I just want to give tons of thanks to Cochrane & Co. Before making this decision I already had a very successful career in car sales and now I have taken it to another level. In my job looking good is one of the most important things to succeed. I feel and look so young again and amazing!

Paul is the most amazing person and hairdresser! He made me realise that non surgical hair replacement is a great opportunity and he was right!! Highly recommend Cochrane&co. They do the best hair systems in UK

Highly recommend hair replacement systems for anyone struggling with hair loss! Very efficient solution, not that hard to maintain (as it seems in the beginning). Also, Paul is amazing and highly experienced! Very nice person, the right one to trust.

After having a hair piece fitted for me by another company, I now wish I came to Cochrane & Co first of all. I can say with confidence that the service I received and the quality of the hair piece is far superior at Cochrane & Co. From the moment I walked in I felt reassured, comfortable and was given all the information I needed. Lucy fitted and styled my hair piece and she was always so helpful and friendly, making it a very pleasurable experience. I am thrilled with how my hair turned out and it has boosted my confidence again. For anyone considering a hairpiece, look no further for the best in quality and the best service! Best wishes

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